Is there an industry need for a ZigBee Certification test agency or certified tester recognition to not only provide the obvious technical compatability and other cert issues, but also consulting, turn-around or cost related issues. For example, can one join ZigBee alliance and develop a Cert Testing/Certification Consultancy that does the certification testing ...

I would prefer to see a button press or some other more robust mechanical - pill release mechanism that counts and semi-tamper / OD proofs any sort of medication. It seems like with any spec, if you touch it, you (may / can) incur liability, fitness for intention, implied warranty and etc.

Good presentation -- all through the 5 sessions, doubly so when coupled with the ISM class. I would like to see a slide or two with a high level flow diagram of network design process - from spec'ing out a system, chip/module selection, firmware issues, tradeoffs, implementation ideas ... network architecture issues, and thru commissioning on to test and eval (toss in compliance and cert too maybe) ...

Sub 60 minute classes work fine (maybe 50 minute limits) for archived functions and would be acceptable for most online presentations I have participated in ... not sure if more than 30 minutes interferes with some attendees lunch periods or interest / attention levels ...

Thanks all for your participation - I look forward to "seeing" you in future classes here at the Digi-Key CEC!! Thanks again Rob - honey lemon tea! That is my cure (real honey and real lemon juice - no coffee and no alcohol)

The one q I see is about where the test 'sniffer' goes for analysis. Anywhere within range of the PAN coordinator. I like to put it in the center of the physical network. It is not a node (although some silicon-mfr-provided ones tap into the coordinator, I don't like that. It is like scope probe capacitance - can fix or break a network!

In case any of you have to leave early, just a note that I can answer questions later (after today's Q&A) and am available as a consulting and training resource. My email is c.j.lord at ieee.org and my new company (launching in January!) is Blue Ridge Advanced Design and Automation (http://www.blueridgetechnc.com/). AND - we are talking about a ZigBee Part Two with some examples of design! - coming in 2013 to this curriculum!

-The streaming audio player will appear on this web page when the show starts at 2pm eastern today. Note however that some companies block live audio streams. If when the show starts you don't hear any audio, try refreshing your browser.

A few weeks ago, Ford Motor Co. quietly announced that it was rolling out a new wrinkle to the powerful safety feature called stability control, adding even more lifesaving potential to a technology that has already been very successful.

It won't be too much longer and hardware design, as we used to know it, will be remembered alongside the slide rule and the Karnaugh map. You will need to move beyond those familiar bits and bytes into the new world of software centric design.

People who want to take advantage of solar energy in their homes no longer need to install a bolt-on solar-panel system atop their houses -- they can integrate solar-energy-harvesting shingles directing into an existing or new roof instead.

Focus on Fundamentals consists of 45-minute on-line classes that cover a host of technologies. You learn without leaving the comfort of your desk. All classes are taught by subject-matter experts and all are archived. So if you can't attend live, attend at your convenience.